Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones. Everything here belongs to George R.R Martin.
Chapter XXXI - Summer Sea
Daeron POV
The following weeks have been chaotic. I've spoken with the Pureborns of Qarth the next morning after the events of the House of the Undying. They were shocked that Xaro Xhoan Daxos betrayed his members so he could be King when Qarth no longer has a monarch ruler. As a result, the Pure Born had allowed the Dothraki to sack Xaro's home. It was decided that a new Thirteen shall be elected among the Pure Born. I've asked the Pure Born if they could sponsor in my campaign, but they declined, however they recommended going to Astapor to gain an army. These soldiers who go by the name Unsullied.
I rememered seeing Unsullied in Illyrio's Manse, they were fat and mostly servants. However, the Pure Born said that these Unsullied were household servants. The Unsullied in Astapor were warriors and soldiers. I know Unsullied are cut when they were five, so they will not be disturbed by woman nor have children or be married. In Westeros, only men who join Septons, Maesters, Kingsguard and Night's Watch are sworn into chastity, rather than being castrated. The only time a person would be castrated in the Seven Kingdoms is if men started raping and refused to accept the Black. But the Unsullied were slaves, they did no wrong other than being born. Eunuchs by force.
West of Essos is the Golden Company, and East of Essos is the Unsullied. However, the Golden Company fought for the Blackfyres during the Blackfyre Rebellion. They are sellswords, though one of the largest, I doubt they would want to fight for me because their ancestors from Westeros had their lands seized. Viserys once tried to feast the Golden Company in my name, however they only ate out food and laugh to us. Unsullied on the other hand could be bought and if I buy them, they will belong to me forever. However, Unsullied are slaves. Back in the days of Old Valyria, slavery was very important, the Valyrians took slaves after Old Ghiscari fell. However, in Westeros, slaves are looked down upon. If I were to return to Westeros with slaves, that would be worse then returning to Westeros with Dothraki.
When I talked to Daenerys, she told me what happens in the House of the Undying. Saying she was taken to the Red Keep, standing before the Iron Throne, yet the Throne room was in ruins covered in Snow and Ashes. The Wall was there, as the large open revealing a Dothraki tent where Khal Drogo and Rhaego were. But she knew it was not her Drogo, the way he spoke seemed off. And when she told the Witch's prophecy, Drogo shut down. Daenerys asked me what I saw, and I told her I saw the day when Rhaenys, Daenerys, Aegon and I were born. She seemed curious but I shut it down immediately.
I sent a letter to Illyrio, informing him that instead of going to Pentos, I will be going to Astapor, to get an army. It won't be long before sailing off to Astapor. One of the Slaver Cities in the Ghiscari region. A conquered province by the Valyrian Freehold long ago before the Doom of Valyria. Their remaining colonies on the coast called Slaver's Bay, of Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen rose into power. Calling themselves "Masters" and continue the practice of slavery. Slavery is funded by the Free Cities too, such as Volantis, Lys, Tyrosh...I remember one of my previous hosts told me that the Ghiscari worshipped a goddess Harpy. The thought of a region taking pleasure in slavery made me shudder. However, it is without a doubt that the Unsullied were consider one of the best armies in the world, they go through a brutal training. That disgusts me, currently I am conflicted, whether to buy slaves or not.
oOoOo
Over the next several weeks we traded enough for gold, a crew and a trustworthy captain. The Captain recommended, sadly, leaving the day we enter the House of the Undying. Ser Jorah said her name is Sarella Sand, a Dornish captain who is one of the Sand Snakes. When I asked him what he meant by that, he explained that the Sand Snakes were the illegitimate daughters of my uncle Prince Oberyn Martell. Last he heard, the man has eight daughters and no son.
It was very rare for someone to have eight daughters and no sons. However, it also made me dissapointed that Sarella Sand had left. She was my cousin, and it would be glad to see her. I don't remember a Sarella Sand, so she must have been born after the Rebellion. But I do remember my uncle Oberyn's eldest three daughters, Obara, Nymeria and Tyene. Along with my uncle Doran's eldest two children, Arianne and Quentyn. Ser Willem told me that Arianne once held Rhaenys and I when we were small, but I don't remember. Ser Willem told me that my uncle Doran had another son Trystane after the Rebellion.
With Sarella Sand leaving, it means that we lost an opportunity to contact Dorne. However, there are some things that might happen to be good. If I purchase the Unsullied, I will not go to Westeros as a beggar, relying on armies of other houses, instead I will have my own army. House Targaryen once had their own army like many other houses, with 10,000 men.
So it gives me no choice but to travel to our Destination, Astapor. It will be the first time since the Dothraki sailed across the poisoned water. Rakharo already had a sea sick and Irri is nursing him at the cabin. Irri herself was a slave once and she had to travel through the Sea, so she herself wasn't affected. Daenerys and I travelled through boat many times during our exile. When I was young, I remembered Daenerys and I hoped that we could be sailors because how peaceful it was, only for Viserys to beat us up, telling us we are dragons, not a smelly fish.
We were introduced to our captain, and we looked at the map on the table. Daenerys looked at the Old Valyria and asked, "By any chance, can we sail by Valyria?"
"That is not wise," The captain answered.
"Why not?" Daenerys asked.
"Old Valyria is cursed, dangerous for ships to sail through and plagued with Stonemen," The captain explained. "One touch from a Stoneman, and you shall be infected by a grey scale."
"Oh," Daenerys replied.
"I want to see Valyria too, but the risk is too high," I told Daenerys. "When the dragons are big enough to ride, then maybe we shall see."
Daenerys nodded in understanding. Greyscale is one disease no one wants to be infected with. I've never seen anyone with this sickness before, but I know it is incurable. Greyscale causes a person's skin to turn grey as crack forms. Those who were infected by Greyscale are called Stonemen and their minds transform one into an animal. It only takes one touch to be infected, or if you touch an object that was infected by greyscale. There is a rumor that the Usurper's younger brother Stannis Baratheon's daughter has been infected with greyscale and been cured or at least prevented the spreading and mental disease. As a young child, Viserys and I considered it as the gods' revenge in taking Dragonstone and trying to kill us.
Princess Aerea Targaryen, the daughter of Queen Rhaena Targaryen (One of Maegor's wives) and also Prince Aegon Targaryen who would've been King travelled to Valyria on the back of Balerion. Apparently the dragon landed in Valyria, being the one last person who was born in Valyria. My ancestor Aenar the Exile brought Balerion to Dragonstone when the dragon was only thirteen. Princess Aerea was in Valyria for several years, before coming back as a monster and a fever so hot that many knights could feel it through their armour along with cracks on her skin. After that, King Jaehaerys I has decreed that going to Old Valyria is punishable by death in Westeros and any ships from Valyria are forbidden to port in Westeros.
Daenerys also wanted to travel to Ny Sar, where our ancestress Princess Nymeria was born at. However, the captain said that Ny Sar is too far away.
oOoOo
A few months have passed since sailing across the Summer Sea. During this time of traveling, Ser Jorah wanted to train me with sword even though I already know how to use one. However, Ser Jorah said it is good to be prepared. When I am not training with swords, I am educating Daenerys about Westeros. Or maybe checking on the Dothraki, such as Rakharo, Aggo who were sea sick. Fortunately, we cannot die from sea sick. However, the ship will not bring horses which made some of the Dothraki warriors feel a bit humiliated of loosing their horses, and that we have to kill them so we could feed them.
Another thing was that the dragons grew at a rapid pace. They were no longer the size of cats, similar to dogs. At first, we were impressed, as they can fly on their own and hunt at sea. Which helps save the meat for the crew. Neither Elianna, Drogon and Rhaegal were small enough to stay on our shoulders, instead they have to fly on the sky.
I watched as Rhaegal and Elianna were playing, while Drogon was on the hunt. No doubt, the black dragon was by far the biggest of the three. His egg was the largest even before he hatched. Elianna was second largest, while Rhaegal was the smallest of the group. Then again, Dragon eats a lot. As the black dragon dived into the ocean, catching a fish, tossing it in the air to set it on fire, and eating it. He then came over sitting on the rail. Daenerys smiled as she petted his red spine. I will admit I am jealous of Daenerys' dragon because Drogon is the largest and the scales are the color of House Targaryen, however I still love Elianna.
"They're growing fast," Ser Jorah noted.
"Not fast enough," Daenerys said as Drogon rested his face onto Daenerys' palm. "I can't wait that long."
"They're barely a year old," I reminded. "The more they eat, fly, and rest the bigger they get."
Drogon gave a screech and took off. I know what she is thinking. Dragon riding, taking the same method our ancestors did during Aegon's Conquest. The dragons were the primary weapons during the war. The Field of Fire set an example of the power of the dragons. Queen Rhaenys used Meraxes with Orys Baratheon on a hill, defeating half of King Argilac's men. Right now, the dragons are adjusting and growing. They can inflict damage, but they are still considered toddlers. However, even dragons are vulnerable, though not as much as compared to other creatures, they are the strongest of course. However, Meraxes died in Dorne, killed by Scorpions, a weapon created by Dornish. Also dragons can kill each other, Vhagar killed Arrax and Caraxes killed Vhagar.
Dragons are different from humans, and are fiercely loyal to their riders. However, just because their riders have connections doesn't mean that the dragons will. Aegon the Conqueror never dared to ride on either Vhagar of Meraxes. Additionaly, Vhagar was once ridden by Laena Velaryon who's husband Prince Daemon Targaryen rode Caraxes. However, during the Dance, Aemond Targaryen rode Vhagar and Daemon had Caraxes kill Vhagar. It made me sad to hear dragons killing each other.
"We need an army," I sighed.
"We'll be in Astapor in a week," Ser Jorah assured. "Some say the Unsullied are the greatest soldiers in the world."
"The greatest slave-soldiers in the world," I corrected. "The distinction means a good deal to some people."
"Do those people have any better ideas about how to put you on the Iron Throne?" Jorah asked. Ser Jorah insists we get the Unsullied for our armies, I can see the merits in that, but it somewhat contradicts his philosophy that our armies should be Westerosi, we need to start off with an army to earn the Lords of Westeros trust. Or at least our distant cousins. Once we figure out a way to contact uncle Doran without Varys spies intercepting. Who knows, maybe Sarella Sand is sailing to Dorne as we speak. I dislike slavery but again I have no choice.
"It's too beautiful a day to argue," Daenerys interrupted, breaking the tension.
"You're right," Ser Jorah agreed. The sound of someone vomiting caught our attention. We watched one of the Dothraki warrior's seasick. Even after a few months at sea, the Dothraki still haven't adjusted to the environment. Some were not getting their sea legs. Those on deck were hunched over trying to get over the nausea.
"Another lovely day on the high seas," Jorah added.
"Don't mock them," Daenerys scolded calmly. "They're the first Dothraki on a ship. They followed me across the poison water. If they'll do it, others will. And the true khalasar…"
"The Dothraki follow strength above all, Khaleesi," Jorah reminded. "You'll have a true khalasar when you prove yourself strong. And not before."
I sighed, knowing Daenerys wants to have a part in my campaign and go home, which she will. Daenerys hoped for other Dothrakis too, she missed Drogon's former Khalasar with fourty thousand men who left her. So did I, but now we would have to start from the bottom and work from the top.